Apparatus for preparing grass.



No. 654,990.' Patented .Iuly 3|, I900.

. e. A. LOWBY.

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING GRASS.

(Application filad Jan. 8, 1897.)

(N0 llddel.)

N Tn STATES GEORGE'A. LOWRY, CHICAGO,- ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE NORTH- \VESTERN GRASS TWINE COMPANY, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING GRASS.

SPECIFICATION for in part of Letters Patent No. 654,990, dated July 31, 1900.

Application filed January 8, 1897. Serial No- 618,448. (No model.)

T0 aZZ whom it, may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. LOWRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Preparing Grass for Grass-Twine- Making Machines, of which the following is a specification. L

This invention relates to apparatus for preparing grass for grass-twine-rnaking machines.

The object of the invention is to provide means for combing the grass preparatory to forming the same into twine.

The invention consists,substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally specific-- ally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an apparatus embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, partly in vertical transverse section.

Reference letter. A designates suitable standards, in which is suitably journaled a shaft B, adapted, to receive rotary motion through pulley G from any convenient source of power. Upon shaft B is mounted a carrier D, which in the form shown comprises a wheel, a central web, and flanges extending laterally on opposite sides from the periphery thereof, as clearly shown in Fig 20. In the periphery of carrier D and arranged to project radially therefrom 'are the tapering spikes or pins E. These spikes or pins are arranged in the periphery of carrier D out of peripheral alineinent with each other-that is, each of said spikes or pins is arranged out of peripheral alinement with the preceding and succeeding pin or spike. This maybe accomplished by arranging the spikes in parallel rows diagonally across the periphery of the carrier. Arranged in front of the carrier and to one side of but in proximity to the path traversed by the projecting pins or spikes when said carrieris actuated is a bracket F, having at its upper end the projecting arms G H, arranged. to extend transversely of the path of travel of the pro= jecting pins or spikes and forming an openended support for the material and at-the same time serving as a guard for preventing -injury to the hands of the operator when the material is presented by hand to the action ofthe comber.

K designates a fender-plate arranged to extend below the receptacle formed by arms G H in order to protect the operator from danger of injury from the projecting pins or spikes.

In preparing grass preparatory to forming the same into twine it is important that the grass be combed in order that the straws or stems thereof may be free from tangles and will lie as nearly parallel with each other as possible. In order to secure this result, I introduce by hand or otherwise the grass to be prepared into the space between the project- "ing arms G H, the'ends of the handful of grass being presented toward the periphery of the carrier. Then by actuating the carrier, as by imparting a rapid rotary movement to the wheel I), the projecting tapering pins or spikes E effect a combing of the grass thus submitted to the action thereof. I first present the butt-ends and then reverse the material, so as to also comb the tops of the grass, thereby freeing the same of Weeds, tangles, and interlacing and leaving the grass in proper condition to be formed into grass twine.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple and efficient apparatus for the purpose stated, one that does not require special care or at tention and which can be operated to efiect a combing of the grass by boys or unskilled labor, as all that is necessary to be done is to present the grass into the guard or holder formed by the arms G II.

A machine such as above described is spe cially intended for preparing grass to be in troduced to the grass-twine-making machine set forth and described in my application for patent executed of even date herewith.

While I have shown and described a specific form and arrangement of apparatus embod ying the principles of my invention, which is the best form in which I at present. con template carrying my invention into practical operation, I desire it to be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the specific details of construction and arrangement shown and described, as many varia-' .tions therefrom and changes therein would readily suggest themselves to persons skilledin the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my'invention; but,

Having nowset forth the object and nature of w my invention and a form of operative means embodying the same, what I claim. as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of V the United States, is-

1. In a machine for combing marsh or other grass, a wheel and means for rotating' the same, in combination with substantiallyblunt pins or spikes arranged to project radially from the periphery of said wheel in parallel rows arranged diagonally across said periphery, and operating to comb and straighten the stalks of grass when presented thereto, and means for supporting the material to be operated on longitudinally in the path of travel of the ends of said pins or spikes, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a machine for combing marsh or other grass, a carrier and means for actuating the same, in combination with substantiallyblunt pins or spikes arranged to project from the peripheral surface of such carrier, said said carrier-is actuated, to enter themass of I material being operated 0n,.and comb and straighten the same, and means for supporting the material to be operated on longitudinallyin the .path traversed by the projecting ends of saidspikes or pins, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a machine for combing marsh or other grass, a carrier, and meansfor actuating the same, in combination with substantiallybl'unt pins or spikes arranged to project from the surface thereof in staggered relation to each other and operating, when said carrier is actuated, to enter the mass of material be* 1 ing operated on and comb and straighten the pins or spikes being arranged in staggered relation to each other and operating, when Tilwancunnc VY LL'ILUDQUSI c S. HUTCHISON, on

S. E. DARBY, 

